Caring for your home can be hard work, but it is necessary to maintain a safe, comfortable and trouble-free environment.

Here is a checklist of services and repairs for your residence, and recommendations on how often you should perform them.

• Every one to five months

Service your air conditioner
Breathing in accumulated dirt from air conditioning can harm your health – plus, your aircon unit bears the brunt. Servicing it at least once every three months can prolong your compressor’s efficiency.

Unclog the sink
A clogged sink pipe interrupts water flow and emits an unpleasant smell. Fix this by pouring shaved ice down the drain, followed by baking soda and hot water.

Identify leaks
Don’t want to spend more than you should on water bills? Check the pipes in your bathrooms or under the kitchen sink once in a while for possible leaks.

Clean your exhaust fan
If you have a cooker hood, clean out the exhaust pipe once a month to ensure it functions optimally.

Unclog drains
Hair, dirt and soap residue can impede water flow, so make sure you unclog your shower drains as necessary.

Test the smoke detector and fire extinguisher
Due to scarce usage, test your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers so they do not fail in the event of an emergency.

Inspect power cables
Your power cables can wear out due to friction. Check them every so often to avoid electrocutions or shortages.

Tend to the plants
Plants and bushes require regular maintenance such as weeding and trimming.

Rinse out your electric kettle
Sediment that may have collected in your kettle needs to be washed out monthly for better water quality.

• Every six months

Check your roof
Malaysia’s climate has a deteriorating effect on your roof. Get it checked for dislodged, missing or cracked tiles, and mould growth.

Inspect the foundation
Check for cracks in the walls, floor, window panes or doors. Minor damage can be fixed on your own, but call a professional for major repairs.

Lubricate frames and hinges
Make sure your door hinges and window frames work smoothly to prevent squeaking and further damage.

Deep clean your home
Constant activity around the house causes dust and dirt to accumulate. Give your home a thorough deep cleaning every six months.

• Yearly

Inspect your wiring system
If your electricity bill increases for no reason, the plugs don’t work and lights won’t come on, it’s time to check your wiring circuit. Hire an electrician to inspect your home and fix any issues.

Check for major leaks
Examine large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and water tanks once a year for leaks and damage.

Look for infestation
Check for hollow and brittle wood structures as signs of insect infestation. Doing so could avoid irreversible damage to your furniture and cabinetry.

Clean out the dryer
If you have one, check your clothes dryer as lint clogging makes it harder for the fan to spin. A severely clogged dryer can even explode and cause a fire.

Drain your septic tank
If your house comes with a septic tank, make sure to clean it out annually. Waste accumulation could cause it to clog and back up into the house.

This article originally appeared on Recommend.my.

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